STAMFORD, Conn. — A Stamford police mechanic turned himself in on larceny and forgery charges after being suspected of buying car parts for his personal vehicle and charging them to the department’s account, Police Chief Jonathan Fontneau said.

According to Fontneau, Sgt. Michael Scatamacchia, who supervises the police fleet, saw an invoice with a charge for parts for a 1999 Chevy Truck, which the department doesn’t have, and reported it to the chief and Internal Affairs.

John Pikikero, 49, of Trumbull, a civilian mechanic for the department, made the order and explained to the sergeant the parts were for a truck the department has and would fit, which wasn’t true.

Scatamacchia looked under the vehicle the department had, and found the parts to have rust, and were not “new and shiny,” Fontneau said.

The sergeant also reported that Pikikero did own the vehicle the parts were for, the chief said.

The charge was for $473.99, Fontneau said.
Pikikero was charged with second-degree larceny and second-degree forgery on Saturday, and has been suspended with pay since Jan. 22, Fontneau said.

The department is following protocol from the city’s Human Resource Department, he said.

He admitted to buying the parts in a statement he gave with his attorney present, Fontneau said. Pikikero has been with the department for at least 13 years, the chief said.